Airedale Hospital and Community Charity is working with Keighley College tutor, Andrea Dean to give Airedale staff members an introduction to BSL (British Sign Language) and provide a wider understanding when it comes to Deaf Awareness.
Over a four-week programme, Andrea will work with Airedale NHS Foundation Trust staff members with an aim for them to be able to use BSL with patients, visitors and colleagues. The course will cover general signs for greetings and asking how someone feels but will also go into more technical signs for measuring pain and carrying out assessments.
Andrea Dean, Deaf Awareness tutor said: “It is a privilege for us to partner with Airedale Hospital and Community Charity on a programme that will make such a difference for Deaf people at the Trust. Knowing even basic British Sign Language can hugely impact patient and staff experiences. We are excited to see how the course will empower staff to connect more confidently with BSL speakers.”
Airedale Hospital and Community Charity is also working with Keighley College to provide a toolkit for staff members who couldn’t attend the in-person sessions. This will be made publicly available on the Trust website.
Jodie Hearnshaw, Charity Manager said: “It was brought to our attention that there is a gap at Airedale when it comes to communicating with our patients, visitors and colleagues who are Deaf.
“We’re very excited to be working with Keighley College on this project and can’t wait to see this put into action across the Trust as it develops. We hope that our colleagues will be inspired to learn a little bit of BSL to be able to communicate with the Deaf community both in and out of Airedale.”
Funds raised for Airedale Hospital and Community Charity support staff wellbeing and patient experience at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and the surrounding community, providing items and services that are above and beyond NHS provision.
For more information, contact the Charity team at anhsft.charity@nhs.net or by phone at 01535 294870.
